Hi All,

I recently starting having a big loss in power and rough running. The service engine light came on and started flashing.

I connected my scan tool and got misfire codes P304 and P307. I figured it was the ignition coil as cylinder 4 and 7 are next to each other on the coil.

Replaced coil after taking out intake manifold etc... But no effect.

I checked the spark to each plug wire using a test tool. I get a spark jumping on all 8 plugs.

I checked the compression on one of the misfire cylinders (#7) and got NO compression. I checked a cylinder that was not giving a misfire code and got 150psi.

What next? A head gasket and valve job? I've never had either done before... How much coin am I looking at for such a big job...

 

Are you losing coolant?

If you do the head gaskets yourself you are looking at ~$500 and a long weekend.
If you have it done you are looking at ~$1500-2000.
Expect to pay over $3000 to have the dealer do it.

 

Thanks Spike,

You think it is worth the extra money to have a dealer shop do it? You think a regular shop could handle a head gasket and valve job? I don't know any reliable shops in the Memphis area, but I'm going to ask around...

I have been losing some coolant recently. Right at the gasket above the exhaust manifold header.

If my Landy was my second car I would definitely attempt the valve and head gasket job myself. But unfortunately this is my only car until I pay it off next year...

Thanks for the advice guys... This Forum is awesome...

 

Stay away from the dealer, it is a huge waste of money.
Are you saying all 3 cylinders have no compression? To have 3 fail, I would wonder if your cam has failed. One way or the other, the manifolds need to come of first, then possibly the heads.
Let us know what a mechanic finds.

 

Well guys ,

Car is in shop (or will be soon).

$2400 for just the head gasket at the dealer.
$1600 from this guy listed below. ( I'm going this route ).

I asked around lots of independent shops in the Memphis area. None would take the job. But all pointed me in the direction of the Land Rover dealer or this guy below. I hear good things regarding the guy below...

Midtown Service & Tire LLC

• (901) 276-8700

1675 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104

Watch this space, I'll let you know how it goes and what in the world the mechanic will find. And most of all how the quality of work turns out...

 

Glad you found a guy to perform the work. Memphis definitely falls short when it comes to Land Rover mechanics.

 

I dont know why nobody else would touch it, but hey, at least you found someone.
Def keep us posted.

 

Well all,

Finally getting back to this thread.

I actually tore the car down myself and found a bent valve on cylinder 7. I decided to order a used head with valves complete from a guy in Florida and ordered the gasket kit complete from Rover Land Parts.

Spent 2 frustrating weekends cleaning and rebuilding the heads.... made a couple of mistakes but eventually got the Landy running.

It would run for about 10 mins perfectly then just cut out and not start again. Leave it for half hour and it would start again. Found it to be a bad CPK sensor...( Thanks Disco Mike after reading another thread on here).

So , long story short. I did the job myself and saved 3K... Very satisfying indeed.

Thanks again you guys for helping answer a few questions.

After doing this job, I dont think there is a lot I couldnt tackle on this car now...

Later guys,

Mikey

 

Great job Mikey.
Thank you for reporting back.

 

It seems like you've won a marathon after the second ninety degree twist on the back corner head bolts.